After having allowed it to grow at an excessive pace, the negative impacts of tourism are now cancelling out the benefits and immediate action is now needed before it is too late, ADPD The Green Party said Saturday. 

The country cannot take on more of this unchecked growth, which is putting pressure on the infrastructure and other local services in general, including waste management.  

We are witnessing the consequences of all this - all one needs to do is to have a good look around us, Party Chairperson Sandra Gauci said.  It is enough to see that the quality of our beaches has deteriorated due to infrastructure that cannot keep up with the increase in population, with drainage ending up in the sea on many occasions.  In recent weeks, we have seen several popular beaches closed to the public, namely in Birżebbuġa, Qui-Si-Sana in Sliema and it Bajja tal-Għażżelin in St Paul's Bay. 

The current situation has also attracted the attention of one of the most popular newspapers in the United States, the New York Post, which has described our country as a "crammed, jammed vacation destination" right after Malta announced direct flights from New York to attract quality tourists. 

The report cited by the New York Post describes Malta as the most crowded place in Europe.  The BookRetreats report cites Malta as Europe's most tourist-dense island.  Whilst Mallorca is reported to attract more tourists, the report also says that no other island beats Malta in tourist density.  In fact, the MIA CEO has already warned authorities of long passenger queues at the airport after the introduction of new security measures.   "Is this the red-carpet treatment and the 'Welcome to Malta' that we are preparing for visitors to our country?" asked Gauci.

The weight of overtourism is being felt in the construction industry, not only because of the increase in hotels but also because of speculation involving residential properties used for short-term lets. This is being felt in some areas more than others, and there is a need for the relevant authorities to control this so that residents' needs come first. 

Above all, we should aim to reduce the number of tourists visiting us and instead focus on quality tourism.  Every single tourist activity and event should be planned and conducted with full respect towards residents in mind, concluded Gauci.